January 5, 2006

MINNEAPOLIS — The Planned Parenthood Federation of America is targeting Target Corp. over the retailer’s policy allowing pharmacists in its stores to refuse to fill prescriptions for the “morning-after pill” for religious reasons. Target operates 1,400 stores and 1,149 of them have pharmacies. Planned Parenthood has asked members to e-mail Target’s Minneapolis-based national headquarters in protest. The retailer expressed surprise and disappointment at Planned Parenthood’s reaction.

“Our policy is similar to that of many other retailers and follows the recommendations of the American Pharmacists Association, so it is unclear why Target is being singled out,” a company statement said. Target’s policy requires objecting pharmacists “to take responsibility” for getting a customer’s prescription filled “in a timely and respectful manner,” either by another Target pharmacist or at a different pharmacy. “Under no circumstances can the pharmacist prevent the prescription from being filled, make discourteous or judgmental remarks or discuss his or her religious beliefs,” according to the company statement.